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Updated: Nov 11, 2025
Isolation, Culture, and Imaging of Human Fetal Pancreatic Cell Clusters
Published on: May 18, 2014
The diagnostic potential of targeted imaging of the fetal pancreas
Yinon Gilboa1,2, Rivka Sukenik-Halevy2,3, Eran Kassif2,4
1Ultrasound Unit, The Helen Schneider Women's Hospital, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petach Tikva, Israel.
Objective:
To report our experience with targeted scans of the fetal pancreas.
Methods:
Targeted scans were performed in 16 cases referred for anatomical or genetic conditions associated with structural pancreatic malformations.
Results:
Four fetuses were evaluated for nephromegaly and macroglossia. In three of them, the pancreas circumference was >90th percentile. Genetic testing revealed Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. In the fourth case, the pancreas circumference was normal; exome sequencing revealed two heterozygous ETFDH gene mutations consistent with glutaric acidemia type II. In a case referred for non-visualization of the gallbladder, the fetal pancreas was not visualized and genetic analysis revealed a mutation in the ONECUT1 gene encoding for HNF6. Targeted scan for heterotaxia revealed three cases with variable degrees of agenesis of the pancreas, one case with a normally structured right sided pancreas and one case with a normal pancreas. Cases referred following a genetic diagnosis included a case of maternal nesidioblastosis with an extremely large fetal pancreas; and five fetuses diagnosed with a TCF2 deletion all with a normal pancreas.
Conclusions:
Prenatal assessment of the fetal pancreas may be a significant factor in prenatal diagnosis and counselling in cases presenting with anatomical and genetic conditions reported post-natally to be associated with pancreatic structural and functional abnormalities.
Insights
Targeted fetal pancreas scans identified structural abnormalities in fetuses with genetic conditions. Prenatal pancreatic assessment aids in diagnosing and counseling for associated abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Prenatal imaging and genetics
- Fetal medicine
- Developmental biology
Background:
- Fetal pancreatic malformations are associated with various genetic and anatomical conditions.
- Accurate prenatal diagnosis is crucial for management and counseling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of targeted fetal pancreatic scans.
- To correlate imaging findings with genetic diagnoses.
Main Methods:
- Targeted ultrasound scans of the fetal pancreas were performed in 16 referred cases.
- Cases involved anatomical or genetic conditions linked to pancreatic malformations.
Main Results:
- Abnormal pancreatic size (circumference >90th percentile) was noted in three fetuses with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome.
- Pancreatic agenesis was observed in three cases of heterotaxia.
- Normal pancreatic findings were seen in fetuses with TCF2 deletions and some heterotaxia cases.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal targeted pancreatic assessment is valuable for diagnosing and counseling.
- It aids in identifying structural and functional pancreatic abnormalities linked to genetic conditions.
